Apparatus for turning elongated articles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus of the invention is especially suitable for utilization in conjunction with the conveyor table of a reversing rolling mill used for rolling lengths of T-bars, angle bars and other similar elongated shapes of metal. The apparatus is normally disposed between a pair of adjacent rollers of the conveyor table and consists of a fluid pressure cylinder rigidly mounted in substantially upright position adjacent one side of the roller table and a counterweighted substantially U-shape frame pivoted on the bottom of the roller table opposite the cylinder for movement between one position toward the cylinder between the pair of adjacent rollers and another position remote from the rollers in the direction away from the cylinder. A link member, which may be in the shape of a chain, normally extends from the piston rod of the fluid pressure cylinder to the upper portion of the frame member below the upper surface of the rollers of the roller table. A pair of fingers projects upwardly from the frame and is adapted to engage an elongated article on the table and cause it to be turned about the fingers when the cylinder is actuated, the chain is raised, and the frame is pivoted toward the cylinder.

Unite State Dailey atet [ Aug. 29, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR TURNING ELONGATED ARTICLES [72] Inventor: Lawrence A. Bailey [73] Assignee: United States Steel Corporation [22] Filed: March 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 128,834

[52] US. Cl. ..214/l QG, 198/33 AD [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..214/1Q,1QG,1QC,1QA;

198/33 AC, 33 AD [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,327,315 l/l920 Davies ..2l4/1 QG FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 906,323 3/1954 Germany ..2l4/l 06 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Att0rney-Donald S. Ferito [5 7] ABSCT Apparatus of the invention is especially suitable for utilization in conjunction with the conveyor table of a reversing rolling mill used for rolling lengths of T-bars, angle bars and other similar elongated shapes of metal. The apparatus is normally disposed between a pair of adjacent rollers of the conveyor table and consists of a fluid pressure cylinder rigidly mounted in substantially upright position adjacent one side of the roller table and a counterweighted substantially U- shape frame pivoted on the bottom of the roller table opposite the cylinder for movement between one position toward the cylinder between the pair of adjacent rollers and another position remote from the rollers in the direction away from the cylinder. A link member, which may be in the shape of a chain, normally extends from the piston rod of the fluid pressure cylinder to the upper portion of the frame member below the upper surface of the rollers of the roller table. A pair of fingers projects upwardly from the frame and is adapted to engage an elongated article on the table and cause it to be turned about the fingers when the cylinder is actuated, the chain is raised, and the frame is pivoted toward the cylinder.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDA BZ I912 3.687; 301

SHEET 1 OF 3 FIG. 6.

APPARATUS FOR TURNING ELONGATED ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to metal rolling equipment and, more particularly, to apparatus for turning elongated material for proper rolling in a metal rolling mill.

It is common practice to hot roll elongated metal shapes such as T-bars, angle bars, and the like in reversing mills whose shape-forming rolls are rotated first in one direction and then in the other, the elongated material such as the T-bar passing through successive passes of rolls in the mills in opposite directions during the rolling operation.

Conveyor tables at each side of the reversing mill are provided. These tables include driven rollers which serve to assist in driving the material being rolled to and from the passes of the reversing mill. In the operation of such a rolling mill, the elongated material delivered from the various passes of the rolling mill frequently are delivered along the conveyor table in canted, twisted or otherwise abnormal position unsuitable for delivery into the next pass of the rolling mill. Originally, it was common practice to turn the hot bars manually, the workman would stand adjacent the receiving conveyor table and manipulate the bars with turning wrenches. This practice was both arduous and dangerous, the principle danger arising from the somewhat distorted condition of the hot bars as they issued from the forming rolls of the reversing mill.

Prior to my invention, some devices have been developed to turn elongated objects during rolling but none of these have been fully satisfactory for reasons of complexity of construction with consequent high costs, difficulty of maintenance and other reasons. Some prior art turning devices are disclosed by the following U. S. Pats:

Patent No. Date 1,191,920 July 18, 1916 2,860,764 Nov. 18, 1958 3,118,547 Jan. 21, 1964 3,506,141 Apr. 14, 1970 It is, accordingly, the primary object of my invention to provide a mechanical apparatus for turning elongated articles which may be utilized with great advantage incorporated in the conveyor tables of a reversing bar mill used for rolling elongated metal shapes such as T-bars, angle bars and the like.

It is a more specific object of my invention to provide apparatus for turning an elongated article about its longitudinal axis which comprises a counterweighted upright pivotal frame; a lifting link pivotally attached by one end to the upper portion of the frame; the link being normally positioned with an intermediate portion thereof lying under the elongated article to be'turned and extending substantially transversely thereof; the opposite end of the link being pivotally connected to the piston rod of a fluid pressure cylinder or other raising means so that upon actuation of the raising means, one end of the link is lifted and the frame is pivoted toward the cylinder. An abutment, preferably in the shape of a pair of spaced counterweighted fingers, is pivoted on the frame and projects upwardly therefrom and is adapted to engage the article to be turned when after referring to the following specification and attached drawing, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWING FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a conveyor table having the apparatus of the invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus of the invention in resting position and a canted T-bar in solid lines on the conveyor table;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view with parts omitted for clarity showing the pivotal frame of the apparatus of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views showing the apparatus of the invention at various stages of its operation; and

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing a modified embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference numeral 2 designates generally a conveyor table having a base 4 and driven rollers 6 rotatably mounted in substantially parallel spaced sequential relation above the base 4. The apparatus of the invention is disposed between a pair of adjacent rollers of the conveyor table 2 and includes an upright substantially U-shaped frame 8 which is made up of a sleeve 10 mounted for rotation about a shaft 12 which extends longitudinally along the base 4 journaled in bearings 14. The two upright legs 16 of the U-shaped frame 8 are attached to and extend upwardly from and substantially normal to the sleeve 10. A stiffener plate 18 is provided extending between the legs 16 of the frame. A counterweight 20 in the shape of an elongated plate is attached to and extends from the sleeve 10 at a point radially removed from the point of attachment of the legs 16 with the sleeve for a purpose which will become apparent. A shaft 22 extends between and through the upper portions of the legs 16 and has counterweighted fingers 24 pivotally mounted on the projecting ends thereof. A shaft 26 is carried by the legs 16 below and substantially parallel with the shaft 22. The end portions 28 of the shaft 26 project outwardly of each side of the U-shape member and are engageable by the lower portions of the fingers 24 to limit the pivotal movement thereof so that the upper portion of the fingers can pivot unrestrained only inwardly of the conveyor table. The fingers 24 are preferably counterweighted so as to cause them to be constantly urged against the end portions 28 of the shaft 26.

A fluid pressure cylinder 30 having a piston rod 32 slidably projecting therefrom is fixedly mounted in substantially upright position on a plate 34 affixed to the side of the conveyor table 2 opposite the frame 8.

A lifting link member 36, which may be in the form of a pair of chains, each of which is attached by one end to the shaft 22 adjacent the inner side of one leg 16 while its opposite end is pivotally attached to the projecting end of the piston rod 32 as at 38.

If desired, one chain (not shown) can be used connected with one end pivotally attached to the piston rod and its other end pivotally attached to the mid-portion of the shaft 22. Further, the link 36 may be in the form of a solid elongated bar 40 pivotally attached at one end to the piston rod 32 and pivotally attached at its opposite end to the shaft 22 of the frame 8, as shown in FIG. 6. Elements of the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 6 which are similar to elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention are designated by like reference numerals but primed.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the apparatus is in resting position, the frame 8 is pivoted away from the rollers 6 of the conveyor table, the piston rod 32 is in retracted position within the cylinder 30, and the link 36 extends below the upper surface of the rollers 6. The counterweight maintains the frame in its position remote from the roller 6 when the piston rod 32 is in retracted position.

In operation, when an elongated article A, which may be, for example, a T-bar, is delivered on to the conveyor table 2 in canted position as best shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the invention is actuated to turn the T-bar to proper position resting for delivery into the next succeeding pass of a rolling mill (not shown). As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, in operation, the pressure cylinder 30 is actuated to abruptly project the piston rod 32. This causes the chain 36 to be lifted by one end by the piston rod and the frame 8 to simultaneously pivot inwardly of the conveyor table toward the cylinder 30. As the chain 36 is raised, the T-bar is moved transversely against the fingers 24 on the frame 8, as best shown in FIG. 4. When the piston rod 32 reaches the end of its projecting stroke, the chain 36 grows taut and propels the T- bar to cause it to axially rotate about the fingers 24 to proper position for rolling as shown in FIG. 5. Then the cylinder 30 is actuated to retract the piston rod 32. When this is done, the chain 36 returns to position below the upper surface of the rollers 6 and the counterweighted frame 8 pivots back to resting position remote from the rollers 6 as shown in FIG. 2. As the frame 8 pivots back to resting position, the fingers attached to the frame pivot inwardly toward the cylinder and clear the turned T-bar A as shown by broken lines in FIG. 5.

It will be understood that the apparatus of the invention will operate in the manner just described even if the link 36 is in the form of a solid elongated bar 40, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of a chain.

While I have shown but two embodiments of my invention, other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for turning an elongated article about its longitudinal axis comprising an upright pivotal frame, a lifting link pivotally attached by one end to the upper portion of said frame, said link normally positioned with an intermediate portion thereof under said elongated article extending substantially transversely thereof, means pivotally connected with the end of said link opposite said one end for simultaneously raising said link by one end and pivoting said frame toward said raising means, means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means when said link is lowered, and an abutment on said frame projecting upwardly therefrom adapted to engage said article when said link is raised and said frame is pivoted toward said raising means whereby said article is axially rotated about said abutment when said article is lifted by said link.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said link is in the form of a flexible chain.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 in which said chain is connected with said frame and said raising means in a manner forming at least two spaced lifting legs extending from said raising means to said frame.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim I in which said means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means is a counterweight mounted on said frame.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said abutment means is pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said abutment means to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said abutment being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said abutment comprises a pair of normally parallel spaced fingers, said fingers being pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.

7. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said raising means includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom, said cylinder being rigidly mounted in substantially upright position opposite said frame, said link being pivotally connected with said piston rod by its end remote from its said one end.

8. In a roller conveyor table having a base, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in substantially parallel spaced sequential relation above said base, the improvement therewith of apparatus for turning about its longitudinal axis an elongated article supported on said rollers, said apparatus comprising an upright frame pivotally mounted on said base adjacent one side thereof for pivotal movement to and from a position between a pair of adjacent rollers and a position removed from said rollers, a lifting link pivotally attached by one end to said frame, said link being normally positioned with an intermediate portion thereof disposed below said elongated article and extending substantially transversely thereof between said adjacent pair of rollers, means adjacent the side of said table remote from said frame pivotally connected with the end of said link opposite said one end for simultaneously raising said link by one end and pivoting said frame toward said raising means to said position between said pair of rollers, means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means to said position removed from said rollers when said link is lowered from raised position, and an abutment on said frame projecting upwardly therefrom adapted to engage said article when said link is raised and said frame is pivoted toward said lifting means to said position between said pair of adjacent rollers whereby said article is axially rotated about said abutment when said article is lifted by said link.

9. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said link is in the form of a flexible chain.

10. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 in which said chain is connected with said raising means in a manner forming at least two spaced lifting legs extending from said raising means to said frame.

11. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means is a counterweight mounted on said frame.

12. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said abutment means is pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said abutment means to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said abutment being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.

13. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said abutment comprises a pair of normally parallel spaced fingers, said fingers being pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.

14. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said raising means includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom, said cylinder being rigidly mounted in substantially upright position on said base opposite said frame, said link being pivotally connected with said piston rod by its end remote from its said one end.

15. Apparatus for turning an elongated article about its longitudinal axis comprising an upright pivotal substantially U-shape frame, a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom rigidly mounted in substantially upright position opposite said frame, a first lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, a second lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, said links extending from said frame to said piston rod in a plane extending below and substantially transversely of said elongated article, projection of said piston rod simultaneously raising said links by one end and pivoting said frame toward said article and said cylinder, a counterweight on said frame for pivoting the same in the direction away from said cylinder when said links are lowered, a finger pivoted on each leg of said frame and projecting upwardly therefrom, and a stop projecting laterally from each leg of said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement of said fingers in the direction away from said cylinder, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said cylinder whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said cylinder, said finers being ada ted togr gage said article when said mks are raise and sat rame is pivoted toward said cylinder whereby said article is axially rotated about said fingers when said article is lifted by said links.

16. In a roller conveyor table having a base, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in substantially parallel spaced sequential relation above said base, the improvement therewith of apparatus for turning about its longitudinal axis an elongated article supported on said rollers, said apparatus comprising an upright U-shape frame mounted on said base adjacent one side thereof for pivotal movement to and from a position between a pair of adjacent rollers and a position removed from said rollers, a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom rigidly mounted in substantially upright position adjacent the side of said conveyor table opposite said frame, a first lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, a second lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said" frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, said links normally extending from said frame to said piston rod in a plane extending below and substantially transversely of said elongated article between said pair of adjacent rollers, projection of said piston rod simultaneously raising said links by one end and pivoting said frame toward said elongated article and said cylinder between said pair of adjacent rollers, a counterweight on said frame for pivoting the same in the direction away from said cylinder to said position removed from said rollers when said links are lowered from raised position, a finger pivoted on each leg of said frame and projecting upwardly therefrom, and a stop projecting laterally from each leg of said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement of said fingers in the direction away from said cylinder, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said cylinder whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said cylinder, said fingers being adapted to engage said article when said links are raised and said frame is pivoted toward said cylinder whereby said article is axially rotated about said fingers when said article is lifted by said links. 

1. Apparatus for turning an elongated article about its longitudinal axis comprising an upright pivotal frame, a lifting link pivotally attached by one end to the upper portion of said frame, said link normally positioned with an intermediate portion thereof under said elongated article extending substantially transversely thereof, means pivotally connected with the end of said link opposite said one end for simultaneously raising said link by one end and pivoting said frame toward said raising means, means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means when said link is lowered, and an abutment on said frame projecting upwardly therefrom adapted to engage said article when said link is raised and said frame is pivoted toward said raising means whereby said article is axially rotated about said abutment when said article is lifted by said link.
 2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said link is in the form of a flexible chain.
 3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 in which said chain is connected with said frame and said raising means in a manner forming at least two spaced lifting legs extending froM said raising means to said frame.
 4. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means is a counterweight mounted on said frame.
 5. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said abutment means is pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said abutment means to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said abutment being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.
 6. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said abutment comprises a pair of normally parallel spaced fingers, said fingers being pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.
 7. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said raising means includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom, said cylinder being rigidly mounted in substantially upright position opposite said frame, said link being pivotally connected with said piston rod by its end remote from its said one end.
 8. In a roller conveyor table having a base, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in substantially parallel spaced sequential relation above said base, the improvement therewith of apparatus for turning about its longitudinal axis an elongated article supported on said rollers, said apparatus comprising an upright frame pivotally mounted on said base adjacent one side thereof for pivotal movement to and from a position between a pair of adjacent rollers and a position removed from said rollers, a lifting link pivotally attached by one end to said frame, said link being normally positioned with an intermediate portion thereof disposed below said elongated article and extending substantially transversely thereof between said adjacent pair of rollers, means adjacent the side of said table remote from said frame pivotally connected with the end of said link opposite said one end for simultaneously raising said link by one end and pivoting said frame toward said raising means to said position between said pair of rollers, means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means to said position removed from said rollers when said link is lowered from raised position, and an abutment on said frame projecting upwardly therefrom adapted to engage said article when said link is raised and said frame is pivoted toward said lifting means to said position between said pair of adjacent rollers whereby said article is axially rotated about said abutment when said article is lifted by said link.
 9. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said link is in the form of a flexible chain.
 10. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 in which said chain is connected with said raising means in a manner forming at least two spaced lifting legs extending from said raising means to said frame.
 11. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said means for pivoting said frame away from said raising means is a counterweight mounted on said frame.
 12. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said abutment means is pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said abutment means to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said abutment being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.
 13. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said abutment comprises a pair of normally parallel spaced fingers, said fingers being pivoted on said frame, a stop on said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement thereof in the direction away from said raising means, said fingers being unrestRained from pivotal movement toward said raising means whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said raising means.
 14. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 in which said raising means includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom, said cylinder being rigidly mounted in substantially upright position on said base opposite said frame, said link being pivotally connected with said piston rod by its end remote from its said one end.
 15. Apparatus for turning an elongated article about its longitudinal axis comprising an upright pivotal substantially U-shape frame, a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom rigidly mounted in substantially upright position opposite said frame, a first lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, a second lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, said links extending from said frame to said piston rod in a plane extending below and substantially transversely of said elongated article, projection of said piston rod simultaneously raising said links by one end and pivoting said frame toward said article and said cylinder, a counterweight on said frame for pivoting the same in the direction away from said cylinder when said links are lowered, a finger pivoted on each leg of said frame and projecting upwardly therefrom, and a stop projecting laterally from each leg of said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement of said fingers in the direction away from said cylinder, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal movement toward said cylinder whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said cylinder, said fingers being adapted to engage said article when said links are raised and said frame is pivoted toward said cylinder whereby said article is axially rotated about said fingers when said article is lifted by said links.
 16. In a roller conveyor table having a base, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in substantially parallel spaced sequential relation above said base, the improvement therewith of apparatus for turning about its longitudinal axis an elongated article supported on said rollers, said apparatus comprising an upright U-shape frame mounted on said base adjacent one side thereof for pivotal movement to and from a position between a pair of adjacent rollers and a position removed from said rollers, a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod slidably projecting therefrom rigidly mounted in substantially upright position adjacent the side of said conveyor table opposite said frame, a first lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, a second lifting link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the upper end of said frame and its opposite end pivotally attached to the piston rod of said cylinder, said links normally extending from said frame to said piston rod in a plane extending below and substantially transversely of said elongated article between said pair of adjacent rollers, projection of said piston rod simultaneously raising said links by one end and pivoting said frame toward said elongated article and said cylinder between said pair of adjacent rollers, a counterweight on said frame for pivoting the same in the direction away from said cylinder to said position removed from said rollers when said links are lowered from raised position, a finger pivoted on each leg of said frame and projecting upwardly therefrom, and a stop projecting laterally from each leg of said frame engageable by said fingers to limit pivotal movement of said fingers in the direction away from said cylinder, said fingers being unrestrained from pivotal mOvement toward said cylinder whereby to clear said article when said frame is pivoted away from said cylinder, said fingers being adapted to engage said article when said links are raised and said frame is pivoted toward said cylinder whereby said article is axially rotated about said fingers when said article is lifted by said links. 